A MOLD man has been ordered not to enter a shop after drunkenly stealing from it three times within a matter of months.

Ricky Richardson, of Denbigh Road, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 38-year-old admitted that on three occasions in September and November, he stole items from the One Stop Store in Elm Drive, Mold.

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, told the court that on September 13, the defendant entered the store and selected a bottle of wine.

He proceeded to open it right in front of staff - who recognised him after having issues with him previously.

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Richardson took "a large swig" from the bottle before putting the cap back on it and walking out with it.

He returned the next day and selected crisps, a sausage roll and a sandwich.

Staff told him the card machine wasn't working and that he'd have to wait - but he simply walked out with the items instead.

On November 8, he attended the store once again and was told he'd been banned.

But he came in anyway, giving a staff member £2 and taking a beer.

A short while later, he returned and opened a can of beer from the shelf before drinking it.

When he was told to leave, he laughed and took another two cans.

Five to ten minutes later, he came back yet again - this time putting four cans of lager under his jacket and leaving.

As staff were on the phone to the police, Richardson returned and laughed.

Across all three offences, the shop recorded a loss of £31.66.

Richardson was arrested and claimed not to remember any of the offences - telling police he was drunk on all three occasions.

Simon Simmons, defending, said his client had used the shop for years and previously had an understanding where he'd be able to take items and pay for them later.

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But the shop has new staff, he said, which Richardson hadn't understood.

District Judge Gwyn Jones fined the defendant £50 for each of the offences and ordered him to pay £31.66 in compensation to the store, as well as £85 prosecution costs.

Under a restraining order he was ordered not to enter the shop for 12 months, and not to approach the member of staff who dealt with him on the three occasions.